Planeta Océano: protecting the Giant Manta

Project begin: 01/02/2002

Planeta Océano involves local communities living along the Peruvian coast in marine conservation – research, awareness and sustainable development initiatives – with impressive results.

Leading organisation: Planeta Océano

The country where the team is based: Peru

Theme: Biodiversity, Education for Sustainable Development, Indigenous and Local Knowledge, Ocean

Sub-themes: Climate change, Environment, Environment, Gender equality and women's empowerment, Knowledge sharing, Knowledge sharing, Natural disasters risk reduction, Natural disasters risk reduction, Natural resource management, Ocean education, Poverty and inequality reduction, Poverty and inequality reduction, Protecting marine ecosystems

Selection: 2020/2021

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Project needs

Communication strategy design

Digital communication

Equipment supply

Financial management

Graphic design

In search of financial partners

Monitoring and evaluation

Partnerships development

Press relations

Project management

Research

Social Media

Translations services

Volunteer workforce

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Educational games around marine wild life conservation led by Kerstin Forsberg

Kerstin Forsberg and team

Manta Rays Club ceremonies (kids promising to engage in manta rays protection)

Kids of various schools of Zorritos involved in activities around manta rays protection awareness

Fishing boats photographed during the early morning catch

Parade for manta rays protection awareness

Educational games around marine wild life conservation led by Kerstin Forsberg

Kerstin Forsberg leading kids towards educational activities

Workshop binational

Kerstin Forsberg rescuing a turtle

Parade for manta rays protection awareness

Parade for manta rays protection awarenes

Mural raising awareness on manta ray protection

Swimming activity. © J. McCarty

Parade for manta rays protection awareness

Fisherman, Peruvian coast

Mural for manta rays protection awareness

Research on manta rays

Sea turtle rescue operation

Parade for manta rays protection awareness

To bring together local citizens and fishermen to protect the giant manta ray and its marine ecosystem, Kerstin Forsberg co-founded Planeta Océano. Committed to citizen science and participative research, the programme unites local volunteers to study local ecosystems and marine species – from manta rays and sawfish to protected marine areas.

With a strong focus on education, Planeta Océano created the Marine Educators Teacher Network, which is already supported by more than 50 schools. Planeta Océano also fosters environmental entrepreneurship to drive eco-tourism, as an alternative source of income for fishermen and local artisans.

A multi-disciplinary approach

To date, Planeta Océano has reached more than 500,000 people and engaged 12 communities in northern Peru. 400 citizen scientists have developed 20+ environmental projects including monitoring fishing and replanting mangroves. Concentrated in Peru, the projects are scaling up internationally through collaborative research across the Eastern Pacific region and the Connecting Schools program, which looks far beyond the country’s national borders.

Bringing together citizens, the government and researchers, this participative approach is making a big impact. The biggest success so far? Achieving the implementation of legislation to protect the giant manta ray and saw fish.

Inspired? Keen to support the conservation initiatives developed by Planeta Océano?

https://www.instagram.com/planetaoceano/